Imane Khelif crowned Olympic gold medallist with unanimous victory over China's Yang Liu at Paris 2024
Updated 10/08/2024 at 00:07 GMT+1
Algeria's Imane Khelif was in the spotlight throughout her time at Paris 2024 but on Friday night she left the iconic Roland-Garros with the gold medal after beating China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight 66kg class. Khelif, who had been backed by her army of supporters in every fight, never lost a single round on the scorecard in the competition.
Watch 'happiest of endings' as Khelif dances in celebration after sealing boxing gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Algeria’s Imane Khelif ended an eventful Games in Paris with Olympic gold after beating China’s Yang Liu at Roland-Garros.
Khelif made the headlines in France after her Italian opponent Angela Carini abandoned their bout inside 46 seconds, though she later apologised for not shaking Khelif’s hand.
Khelif, who also competed in Tokyo 2020, was banned from competing at the 2023 World Championships for failing International Boxing Association (IBA) gender eligibility tests.
She was cleared to compete in Paris by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 25-year-old put all the noise to one side to comfortably beat Yang in the women’s welterweight 66kg class.
Backed by a raucous crowd, Khelif won by unanimous decision, ensuring she leaves the French capital without losing a round on the scorecard.
Yang adopted an attacking approach from the start and caught her opponent with a couple of snapping jabs. But Khelif roared back with a powerful combination to end the opening round on a high.
She continued the momentum in the second round, landing a series of punches, and although Yang responded with a counter shot, the Chinese boxer knew she had a mountain to climb in the final round.
Taking few risks, Khelif remained in control of the fight, though Yang landed a nice jab. But when the final bell rang, it was obvious the Algerian was victorious.
The pair hugged when the announcement came before Khelif wheeled away to celebrate her triumph.
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Double success for Uzbekistan
Earlier, there had been joy for Yang’s Chinese team-mate Wu Yu who won the women’s 50kg gold medal, courtesy of a split-decision victory over Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu.
In the men’s 92kg final, there was more success for Uzbekistan as Lazizbek Mullojonov triumphed over Azerbaijan’s Loren Berto Alfonso Dominguez by unanimous decision.
Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev made it a double success for Uzbekistan on the night with victory over Mexico’s Marco Alonso Verde Alvarez in the men’s 71kg class.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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